Bonds Says He Might Retire After Season

Barry Bonds might retire after this season. Or he might not.

The San Francisco Giant slugger gave differing accounts this weekend, first saying this year would be his last, even if he doesn’t break Hank Aaron’s home run record. Then Sunday night, he said he would play in 2007 if his surgically repaired knee was OK.

In a story posted on USA Today’s website Sunday afternoon, Bonds said the game wasn’t fun anymore.

“I’m tired of all of the crap going on,” he said. “I want to play this year out, hopefully win, and once the season is over, go home and be with my family. Maybe then everybody can just forget about me.”

A few hours later, MLB.com reported that Bonds said his health would determine how long he plays.

“If my knee holds up, I’ll keep on going,” he said. “I’m playing psychological games with myself right now. I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if things don’t work out this season.”

Bonds was limited to 14 games last year because of three knee operations. He has 708 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron (755).

“Breaking these records aren’t a big thing to me,” he said. “It’s a great honor to pass Ruth, but it means more to baseball than it does to me. History is good for every sport, and I’m creating great interest for the game.”

Bonds, who turns 42 on July 24, said he plans to report Tuesday to the Giants’ spring training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Giants said they would not comment on the retirement report until they hear from Bonds directly.

Manager Felipe Alou, speaking before the USA Today story was posted on the Internet, said he’s looking forward to Bonds’ arrival.

“I think everybody wants to see him,” Alou said. “ ... I haven’t seen him since October, but we’ve talked on the phone. There’s a lot of time to discuss things.”

Bonds, who is 6 feet 2, weighs 230 pounds, USA Today said.

“I am still big. I’m fat. I can’t do much,” he said. “I can’t train like I used to. So the weight stays. I’m just not a skinny person, dude, I’m not. I never will be. So what [are] they going to say now? Are they going to say, ‘Wow, I guess it can’t be steroids anymore because he didn’t lose all that weight?’ Or are they going to be mad that I’m fat. Come on, which one is it?”

Bonds has an $18-million salary in the final season of his $90-million, five-year contract and will be eligible for free agency after the World Series.

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New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre is confident Alex Rodriguez will be fine after a second straight off-season of criticism.

“There’s a lot of jealousy out there,” Torre said. “That’s what goes with who you are, how much you make and all that stuff. It’s part of the equation, I guess. You’ve got to deal with it.”

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner talked with Torre for 20 minutes in the manager’s office after Sunday’s workout.

The owner wouldn’t discuss baseball with reporters, only his horses.